Gate-closer



(No Model.)

T. C; DICKSON.

GATE GLOSBR.

No. 506,213; y Patented oct.l1,o,1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS C. DICKSON, OF PARIS, TEXAS.

GATE-CLOSER.

SPECIFICATION forrning part of Letters Patent No. 506,213, dated October 10, 1893.

Application filed J' une 13, 1893.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, THOMAS C. DIoKsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paris, in the county of Lamar and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Gate-Closer, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in gate closers.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of gate closers and to provide one which will be simple and inexpensive in construction and positive and reliable in operation, and adapted to be readily applied to any ordinary swinging gate.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gate provided with a gate closer constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig.2is ahorizontalsectional view. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view of the pulley casing.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings.

1 designates an adjustable arm secured to a swinging gate 2, and extending rearward therefrom and connected to the `upper end of a cord or rope 3, or its equivalent, which passes over pulleys 4 and 5, and which is provided at its lower end with a weight 6, for closing the gate. The arm or bar lis provided at its inner end, which is secured to the gate, with a straight portion 7, and interposed between the same and the gate is a longitudinally-movable wedge 8, which is provided with a longitudinal slot 9, receiving the screws or other fastening devices for attaching the arm or bar 1 to the gate. At an intermediate point the arm or bar is curved or bowed, as at 10, in order to clear a hinge-post 11, and by means of the adjustable wedge the arm or bar may be adjusted to move its curved or bowed portion outward from or inward toward the gate to enable it to clear the hinge-post without projecting outward too far from the gate and being in the way.

The pulley casing, which is secured to the top of the fence 12, has a vertical pulley-hous- Serial No. 477,453. (No model.)

ing 13, to receive the pulley 5, and a horizontal pulley-housing 14 to receive the other pulley; and the said casing is preferably constructed of two pieces of wrought iron pressed or stamped into the shape shown by dies,

thereby constructing a pulley-casing much superior to an ordinary cast-iron pulley-casing, but the casing may, if desired, be cast. In the form shown in the accompanying drawings the casing consists of a lower plate which rests upon the top rail of the fence and an u pper plate having securing ears arranged upon the lower plate. The upper plate is also provided with a raised horizontal portion conforming to the configuration of, and forming a housing for, the horizontal pulley, and it is provided with alateral extension having depending iianges or sides to form a casing for the vertical pulley. The lower plate of the casing for the pulleys is provided with a pair of outwardly extending integral lugs 15 to prevent the depending portions of the vertical pulley housing from spreading. The weight is arranged within a tubular casing` 15, and the cord is of such length that the gate can only open to a position at right angles to the fence, as the weight willbe causedto come in contact with and be stopped by the vertical pulley in order to prevent the wind or other means forcing the gate to such a position that the weight cannot operate to close the gate. By this arrangement the gate closer will be positive and reliable in its operation and will avoid one of the great troubles and objections incident to many gate closers, in which the gates are permitted to swing past a position at right angles to the fence.

It will be apparent that the gate closer is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction and positive and reliable in operation, and that it will always eect a closing of a gate as soon as the latter is released by the person passing through. It will also be apparent that the gate closer does not obstruct the gateway and is compactly arranged with reference to the gate and the fence.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the in, vention.

IOO

What I claim is- 1 Agate closer comprisinganzarm adapted to be secured to a gate and provided with an intermediate curved or bowed portion for clearing afence-post, a longitudinally-adjustable wedge designed to be interposed between the arm and the gate to enable theformer to be adjusted to clear the adjacent fence-post, and a Weight connected with the arm for closing the gate, substantially as described.

2. A gate closer comprising an arm designed to be secured to a gate and provided with an intermediate curved or bowed portion, a longitudinally-adj ustable wedge to'be interposed l between the arm and the gate and provided with a longitudinal slot to receive the fasten` ing devices forsecuring the arm tothe gate, and a weight `for closing the. gate connected with the arm, substantially as described.

3. In agatecloser, the combination of an arm adapted tobe secured to a gate, a pulleycasing` designed to be mounted on a fence ad- Weight secured to.- the cord, substantially as described.

In testimony tliattI claim: the-.foregoing as my own Lhavehereto axed mysgnaturre in the presence.` of.y two Witnesses.`

THOMAS 0. DIGKSON.`

Vitnesses:

C. W. OHAMBERLIN, J. W. OWNBY. 

